Homemade Banana Pudding is my official weakness. You know those nights when you’re desperate for something sweet but do NOT want to get out of pj’s? Or maybe you’re at a family reunion and everything on the dessert table looks kinda… eh. That’s when you get that itch for a real classic. Genuine comfort food.
Homemade Banana Pudding is where my cravings land—every single time. This isn’t the store-bought cold stuff either. We’re talking warm memories (and, uh, maybe a little mess) every time.
Homemade Banana Pudding
What Makes Homemade Banana Pudding So Special?
Okay, follow me for a sec. There’s this magical thing that happens with simple ingredients in homemade banana pudding. You layer up bananas, pudding, and cookies. But somehow? It just transforms. Gets silky. Rich. Creamy. You can’t fake that old-fashioned taste.
Honestly, it’s always a crowd-winner in my family. We made it for Grandma’s birthday last year. Even the banana haters (you know who you are) were sneaking extra scoops. Something about that combo—sweet bananas, creamy pudding, and the cookies going all soft. Absolute comfort.
And don’t even get me started on the nostalgia. Reminds me of summers in Georgia, when the kitchen smelled like vanilla and everybody fought for the last spoonful. If you’ve never made real homemade banana pudding, trust me, you’re in for a treat.
“I tried your homemade banana pudding recipe—it tasted just like my auntie used to make! My whole family went back for seconds. Best comfort dessert hands down.” — Christie R.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Pretty basic stuff, I’m not fancy. Here’s what you grab:
- 1 box vanilla wafers (the old-school round ones are best)
- 4-5 ripe bananas (not too mushy, not green either)
- 3 cups cold whole milk
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (don’t you dare skip it)
- 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix (regular size)
- 1 container whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
You might already have most of this in your kitchen. Maybe just need to run out for bananas.
Homemade Banana Pudding
How To Make Homemade Banana Pudding (Easy Directions)
First, grab a big mixing bowl for the pudding. Mix the cold milk, pudding mix, and sweetened condensed milk together. Whip it up ‘til it’s all smooth—no clumps! Let it set in the fridge for about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, slice up your bananas, not too thin. In a baking dish (I use an 8×8 or 9×13, depends how many you’re feeding), lay down a layer of vanilla wafers. Put a layer of banana slices over the cookies.
Take out the pudding mix, fold in half the whipped topping gently. Blob half of that pudding over the bananas and cookies. Repeat—another layer of cookies, bananas, then the rest of the pudding. Top with the leftover whipped topping, swirl it all pretty with a spatula.
Pop it in the fridge a few hours. The longer it sits, the better it gets. All the layers get cozy together.
Homemade Banana Pudding
Serving Suggestions
Want to make your homemade banana pudding extra special? Here’s some things I always end up trying:
- Drizzle a little caramel over the top if you’re feeling wild
- Sprinkle on crumbled vanilla wafers—not just line them
- Serve in small mason jars at cookouts (cute, right?)
- Sneak a warm serving right out of the pan before anyone else sees, because… I do that every time
Homemade Banana Pudding
Tips For The Best Homemade Banana Pudding
I messed up a lot before finding a groove. The bananas—use ripe but not spotty. Otherwise, things get mushy real quick. Instant pudding is a huge time saver. If you want Grandma’s level, try cooking a basic pudding from scratch—just more stirring.
Let it chill at least four hours, though honestly, overnight makes it ten times better. Everything soaks, softens, the flavors just sing.
Don’t try to sub in low-fat milk or light toppings if you can help it. Trust me. The real deal gives you five-star restaurant flavor, without any fuss. If you’re feeling wild and wanna torch some meringue on top, go for it. Did it once. Looked wild. Tasted amazing.
Homemade Banana Pudding
Homemade Banana Pudding
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 240 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A classic, silky, and creamy homemade banana pudding that brings back fond memories and comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 box vanilla wafers
- 4–5 ripe bananas
- 3 cups cold whole milk
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 container whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
Instructions
- In a big mixing bowl, mix the cold milk, pudding mix, and sweetened condensed milk together until smooth.
- Let it set in the fridge for about 5 minutes.
- Slice the bananas, not too thin.
- In a baking dish, lay down a layer of vanilla wafers.
- Put a layer of banana slices over the cookies.
- Fold half the whipped topping into the pudding mix gently.
- Blob half of the pudding over the bananas and cookies.
- Repeat with another layer of cookies, bananas, and the rest of the pudding.
- Top with the leftover whipped topping and swirl it pretty with a spatula.
- Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight before serving.
Notes
For best results, let it chill overnight. Drizzle caramel over the top for an extra special touch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
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